Does anyone know what way your maternity benefit is affected if you are on illness/sick benefit before Maternity leave? I don't get paid from my employer when on maternity leave but will be on sick benefit before Maternity leave. I have heard that your maternity benefit is started from when your sick benefit starts - surely this cannot be true? Thanks in advance

Well, ruru, that is certainly true - women can be the biggest bitches of the lot And to come in simply asking how I know i will be off sick without offering any guidance to my original post kind of speaks volumes! What was the purpose of your question? What did you expect to gain from it?

Ruru, where's my nasty comments? 1. You didn't answer my question or offer any assistance - or perhaps you did and I missed that? I was in hospital when I posted my original message, and yes I had been informed that I couldn't return to work for the duration of my pregnancyTrust me, 200e or whatever sick benefit is, is not enough to tempt me to go sick for the duration of my pregnancy. So please jump down off your band wagon and answer the op :-) Thanks a million

Samara, I don't know why but my maternity was back dated to when I went sick! It is a few years ago now but I had a pregnancy related illness and Doctor told me to stop working at 33 weeks. I did and went on certs and for some reason my maternity was back dated to the 33 weeks. I don't know why and to be honest at the time I got the letters in the post I was so busy to even look into it but yes it is possible. Hopefully this won't be the same for you. Best of luck :)

I dont think the question was rude at all. In fact I thought the same thing myself, like how do you know your going to be sick?? Obviously the op's further comments explained she had a pregnancy related illness. But it seems very normal for women to go sick pre maternity leave because they want to finish early but dont want to start eating into their 26 weeks.

Op hope your feeling ok and best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

I've had Hse employees say to me "I'm due maternity leave from x date but I'm going sick from x date, ( two weeks before that)". So planned sick leave before mat leave is not unheard of, and even seems to be the norm in some circles.

Thanks a million girls you are very good. Maryquant, women can be the biggest bitches of the lot. She didn't even answer my question - there's always one bad apple!! Trust me I need the money so the worry of no pay is most definitely not what I needed but onwards and upwards. Thank you xx

Samara2. I was on sick leave for 8 weeks before DC1 was born and 4 weeks before DC2 Sick pay was paid right up to 2 weeks before due date and then maternity kicked in. Never had an issue and never asked to start maternity benefit early.

Thanks pixie pop for that you're very good. I don't get paid from work when I'm on sick leave or mat leave so it's a real pain in the bum as I am never off sick and was hoping to stay healthy for the duration of the pregnancy but shit happens! I had heard that if you are on sick benefit before mat leave then they start your mat leave early. I will ring them tomorrow to find out for certain and sure what will be will be. Thanks for your help x

I think technically they can start your mat benefit once you're off work as you're off due to maternity reasons. However, they can only enforce that if you're signed off now right up until the birth. But if you're only sick on a week to week basis who's to say that you won't return to work for a day or two before your official mat leave begins (2 wks before due date as stated on mat leave form). I'm aware of people going back to work for 2-3 dys between sick leave & mat leave just to have a distinct distinction between the two. You have to start mat leave 2 wks before due date but can start it any time after 24 wks